Image title: Figure 393. A Nartaki playing Vina

This is a beautiful sculpture of a dancing girl holding and playing a Vina, a musical instrument. She is performing movement from Mandala Sthana. Right Janu is in Ardhakuncita, right Jangha is in Nata, right Pada is in Sama but in Parsva. Left Janu is in Unnata, left Jangha is in Udvahita, left Pada is raised above the ground. She seems be performing the Adhyardhika Cari. Her Siras is in Ancita, her Parsva is in Nata on right and Samunnata on left. Urah [uras] seems to be in Sama, Kati is not showing any movement.

Gallery information:

Kumbakonam is considered as one of the holiest places in Tamil Nadu and is known for its temples and Mathas (monasteries which were centres of Brahmanical learning). These photographs depict the connection between the sculptures in the temples and Natya Shastra and related texts dealing with iconography.